International and independent movies featured at WNC film festival
Film lovers won't want to miss next month's Carson City International Film Weekend. Not only will audiences enjoy award-winning international and independently made films, but the weekend showings and discussions are free.
The Carson Community Center will host three international films Feb. 18-20, while Western Nevada College will show independently made films on Thursday and Friday, Feb. 18 and 19.
The event is made possible by the collaboration between the Carson City Library, Carson City Community Center and WNC, and the free services they provide to the festival. A seven-member film team from an ad-hoc committee representing the Friends of Carson City Library selected the movies and handled the tasks, allowing the festival to be free to the public.
“The committee feels it’s a worthwhile endeavor and that people benefit from learning about various cultures in our world,” said committee member Linda Bellegray.
The film selection committee also includes WNC Reading Instructor Elizabeth Skinner, WNC English Professor Emerita Ursula Carlson, Andrea Moore, Dixie Jennings-Teats, WNC Public Services Librarian Valerie Andersen, and Lynne Parish.
To fund this year’s event, organizers held a Movie Masquerade, raising nearly $2,000. Last year, funding was provided through $1,000 grants from the Nevada Arts Council and Nevada Humanities.
Afternoon showings will spotlight the independently made film winners that were selected by the International Film Weekend Committee.
Evening viewings will feature award-winning commercially produced international films.
“We use three criteria for choosing: films that evidence global awareness and/or appreciation for cultural diversity, understanding of social issues facing humanity, and a significant degree of film craft,” Bellegray said.
International films will include “Cherry Blossoms” on Thursday, Feb. 18, followed by “Children of Heaven” on Friday, Feb. 19 and “A Royal Affair” on Saturday, Feb. 20. All three films will be shown at 7 p.m. at Bob Boldrick Theater in Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St.
“Cherry Blossoms,” which is rated R with some nudity, is an unusual tale of cultural crossings and international relationships touching Japan and Germany. “Children of Heaven,” an Iranian film rated PG, is a story of everyday challenges from a child’s perspective, providing humor and humanity. “A Royal Affair,” the finale from Denmark, brings an 18th-century historical drama of love, politics, insanity and enlightenment. The film is rated R with some nudity and mature subject matter.
Each film will be followed by an optional, open forum discussion.
The winners of the independent film contest will be presented over two afternoons at Marlette Hall in WNC’s Cedar Building, 2201 W. College Parkway. Bellegray said a full-length film and several short ones will be shown each day starting at 3 p.m.
“The filmmakers will attend the screenings at WNC to discuss their films and the process of making films with the audiences,” Bellegray said. “Last year's films were overwhelmingly well-received by viewers.”
Independent film winners will be selected Jan. 25.
For more information, phone 775-445-3222 or send an email to internationalfilmweekend@gmail.com.
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